Club Chair, Gareth, and player, Cameron  took to the airwaves at the BBC in Manchester, sharing their experiences and opinions with the broadcasters.

The dialogue cast a light on the club’s role in the “Try For Change” campaign initiated by England Rugby and Comic Relied.   Our mission? To inspire greater participation in rugby and foster cohesion between the local gay community and the larger society in Manchester.

The Spartans’ story began in the late 1990s. Emerging as a trailblazer for LGBT sports, the Spartans were initially established as a safe space for gay and bisexual men to discover and enjoy rugby union. Through a lively display of unity and acceptance on the rugby pitch, the club defies societal norms and challenges stereotypes.

The Spartans’ quest is more than a game of rugby; it is a battle against the mental and physical health disparities often reported within the gay and bisexual male community. Gareth emphasised that the club’s primary objective is to reverse these statistics. By fostering a welcoming environment for rugby, the Spartans are, quite literally, taking the bull by the horns.

On the other hand, Cameron’s journey paints a different, yet equally important, picture. Initially, rugby held no appeal for him during his school years. But the Spartans, with their inclusive ethos, provided him with a nurturing environment. As a result, Cameron now thrives on the rugby field, his burgeoning confidence echoing the transformative power of acceptance and camaraderie in sport.

Yet, the shadow of homophobia, albeit receding, persists within the world of grassroots rugby. Gareth conceded that the Spartans often encounter it more off the pitch than on, a stark reminder of the lingering prejudices within society. Nevertheless, they remain resolute, standing tall as symbols of resilience and change.

In an ideal world, the existence of predominantly LGBTQ+ teams like the Spartans may seem paradoxical. Yet, as Gareth eloquently put it, their existence echoes teams like London Welsh or London Irish, established for particular communities, providing a sense of belonging.

Earlier this year, homophobic comments from Matthew Bastereau sent shockwaves through the rugby world. For the Spartans, such slurs serve as stark reminders of the work still to be done. Education and awareness, they believe, are paramount in eradicating such behaviour.

The strides made by rugby in accepting the LGBTQ+ community have set a precedent for societal advancements. Gareth believes that rugby has been ahead of the curve, setting a beacon for other sports to follow.

In conclusion, the Spartans’ pioneering role in inclusive rugby has borne fruit. Their story of increased confidence, improved mental and physical health, and greater participation in sport among marginalised communities is an inspiration. Their commitment to the “Try For Change” campaign will undoubtedly inspire more individuals, regardless of their sexuality, to embrace the sport of rugby.

The journey of inclusivity is an ongoing one, and clubs like the Manchester Village Spartans are at the forefront. Their efforts are a clarion call for others to follow, both within the sporting world and beyond.

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Listen to the show HERE

A number of Manchester Village Spartans participating in the England Rugby and Sport Relief funded “Try For Change” small grants project were fortunate to be treated to an incredible day of rugby training at Twickenham in the presence of HRH Prince Harry and stars from the England Rugby team.

After an initial get together in the morning with other “Try For Change” clubs in the Spirit of Rugby suite, the Spartans were taken down to the Away Team changing rooms where they chatted to RFU executives and at length with Jonny Wilkinson about grassroots rugby.

Upon being introduced to a friendly and encouraging HRH Prince Harry, we discussed our club history as one of the world’s first gay rugby clubs; Our shared passion for rugby; Our club ambitions to help increase the number of young people engaging in Rugby Union from within our local straight and LGBT communities and; The personal impact the “Try For Change” project and rugby has had on players.

Shortly after, we followed the Royal entourage down the Twickenham tunnel to the stands and joined Prince Harry in watching the England squad’s open training session, in front of a 10,000 crowd of spectators made up of grassroots clubs from across the UK.

Once the Pro-training completed, Spartans’ Gareth Longley, Danny Raine and Michael Westall then joined Joe Launchbury, Danny Care, Sam Underhill and Jonny Wilkinson in their Rugby Master Class on the turf and enjoyed a game of low contact rugby with the Prince watching on from the Try line.

Following more introductions, chats and photo opportunities with England players, the team then enjoyed a Twickenham lunch before heading back to Manchester emboldened by the incredible support, advice and encouragement from, not only HRH Prince Harry, but all of England Rugby and Sport Relief.

Great article all about our Gay Rugby team meeting with Prince Harry in Pink News

We made the Italian Media in this great article about us

People News Article

Telegraph News Article

Article detailing some of Prince Harry’s comments in the Away Team Changing Rooms when meeting Manchester Village Spartans